African football cup

Spain - After recent struggles at major tournaments, the remaining stars of Spain's golden generation could be facing a last stand at the World Cup. Winning two European Championships and a first World Cup, the Spanish were unstoppable from 2008 to 2012. But they began to falter at the 2014 World Cup - failing to advance from the group stage - and were eliminated from Euro 2016 in the round of 16. Former coach Julen Lopetegui, who took Spain on an 18-game unbeaten run before he was sacked just before the tournament, has left his mark. However, the exclusion of big calibers from the list of players going to Russia (among them: Cesc Fabregas, Alvaro Morata, Jose Maria Callejon and Juan Mata) has drawn some criticism. This is likely to be the last World Cup for a number of Spain's veterans: Iniesta and Gerard Pique and Sergio Ramos, who even made up his own flamenco version of the WC hymn. … [Read more...] about Did you know this about the World Cup’s 32 teams?

Around 282 people were arrested in France yesterday, which included football revellers and some who were out protesting for Bastille Day. Political protesters smashed property and set fire to bins in Paris during national day festivities there earlier in the day. Tear gas was used in Paris and in Marseille, and Marseille's Old Port area had been closed off in anticipation of a public disturbance. … [Read more...] about Algerian football fans cause chaos on the streets of France

The Japanese team’s commitment to leaving the Rostov-on-Don stadium and the tournament itself in a courteous manner felt even more impressive, as only 15 minutes from the final whistle they were on the verge of extending their stay in Russia and knocking out star-studded Belgium in the process. Les Diables Rouges’ Marouane Fellaini headed home to bring the score level to 2-2 in the 74th minute. Then, seconds before full time his compatriot Nacer Chadli completed a Belgian comeback with a winning goal that dumped the Samurai Blue out of the competition. … [Read more...] about After World Cup Heartbreak, Japan’s Fans Cleaned up Stadium and Team Tidied Locker Room